The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-06-29

personalities more or less obscure to out
siders, but was pervaded by sense OF hui
NOR in which all found enjoyment Right
here was introduced new feature to gradu-
ating exercises at Goddard. Miss Nettie
Gale of Williamstown was the first gradu-
ate from the musical department, and she
"spoke her piece" on the piano. giving
fine performance of Mendelssohn's " Rondo
Capriccioso." Her phrasing was very SUI
perior her execution good and her work
showed an abundance of natural talent, and
testified to the superior instruction which
she had been receiving. An "?" was the
somewhat novel subject of the Grafton by
Arthur Edwin Lane of Montpelier The
progress of the people is full Of them. In
quiry should be welcomed curiosity and
agitation are the means to which real
knowledge is an end The great questions
which agitate the nation to-day received due
recognition. The class prophecy was pleas
antly introduced with the heading "Sybil-.
line Leaves" by Frances W. Wellington of
Boston, who, one day seeking secusion from
the busy world, found it in sequestered
nook in some charming spot in the country,
and there, meditating on odd Goddard,
which she loved so well, &c fell a-dreaming."
The future of each member of the class of
'S7 was wildly portrayed in vision which
followed, and the revelations of which
were made public at this time. George
II. Soule of Fairfield told of Young Men
in History" naming several of the greatest
heroes whose fame was acquired in early
manhood. These were given as among the
best instances of young men of distinction
in their various spheres: In war, Napoleon;
in politics, Alexander Hamilton; in litera-
ture, Goethe in art, Raphael; in science;
Newton; in philosophy, Bacon and in re-
ligion, Martin Luther. Mittie p. Skinner of
Plainfeld was the valedictorian, and her
essay was upon The Realm of Dreams"
She believed in building castles and in
striving to attain to them; that failure in
the pursuit of high aim is vastly better
than success in attaining an object of low
desire; that, continually keeping a high
ideal, man is constantly drawn toward it;
that the duty of the future is to take up the
spirit of the better dreams of the past and
weave the threads into fabric which will
be beautiful, complete and enduring. Her
farewell was full of expressions of gratitude
TO trustees and instructors of regret at part
ing with school friends and of practical sug
gestions to classmates. In presenting the
class to the president of the board of trus
tees for the " honors " of the occasion Prin-
cipal Dana uttered hearty amen to the
spirit of the valedictory essay, expressed
the confidence of all of the teachers in
every member of the class and exhorted
them to fidelity. His remarks contained
much sound advice and were made addi-
tionally impressive by allusion to the fact
that he, too, was about to graduate from
Goddard. Diplomas were presented to the
graduates by President w. r. Shipman,
who also made several necessary announce
ments. A benediction was given and the
exercises of the class of 'S7 of Goddard Sem
mary We're at an end. Wednesday after
noon the
ANNUAL ADDRESS
was made by the Rev. w. f. Gibbs of Law
renee, Mass, prayer first being offered by
the Rev. j. j. Lewis of Boston. Sincere
pleasure was expressed at addressing an
audience so largely composed of those in
the pursuit of learning and then the speaker
sought to call to the minds of those present
some of the principles and aims upon which,
he had satisfied himself from personal OBJ
servaton, scholar must always build. He
urged the need of right foundation in
spiritual things, and at greater length
showed the great need of cherishing in the
heart sincere and reverent regard for
truth and an equally reverent regard for
purity and temperance. To be a man, he
said, should be the aim of life, telling at the
same time what is the fullest and best
meaning of that expression. His address
was thoroughly eloquent and held through
out the closest attention of all hearers.
In the evening, at eight clock, a reception
of teachers and class was held in the SEM
mary parlors. Music for dancing was fur.
nished by the orchestra, and this pleasant
pastime and social enjoyment brought the
commencement week to a most happy close
NOTES.
AT the annual meeting of the trustees G. w
Berry, Esq, of Boston was chosen in place
of Rev. w. NJ Kimmell ard the board Of
auditors was increased to three by the add
ton of the name of B. p. White of Calais.
The music furnished by the Montpelier
orchestra on Wednesday was the subject OF
much favorable comment, and their play
ing merits favorable mention in connection
with report of the exercises. Valuable
assistance was rendered by musicians from
from West Randolph.
DINNER was served Wednesday afternoon
to large number of visitors, most of whom
We're made ravenously hungry by reason oil
the lateness of the hour. The meal suffered
one interruption-the class yell " of 'S7
the members of which all dined at on,
table. 1t was greeted with a burst of ap
plause.
THE receipts from admission to the com
mencement concert were about $50, and the
net receipts at the prize speaking were $50
The latter sum was appropriated as al
addition to the nucleus of an improvement
fund, to be used when it shall have acquired
sufficient proportions, in identifying tn,
Seminary grounds.
No one who has not attended priz
speaking or commencement concert in til,
Seminary chapel can fully appreciate the
change to the Opera-house. Barre is TO b.
congratulated upon the possession OF thi
beautiful hall, and the management o
Goddard Seminary that it was leased for tn
exercises mentioned
A PLEASANT feature of the class-day eXer
cises was the presentation to the school b.
the class of large framed picture of Mis-
Thompson, known to all friends of tn
school by her long term of faithful service
and dear to all students, past and present
because of her kindness and sympathy tina
made her worthy of the title of " Mother o
all Goddard students"
Mr.. f. NJ. BLANCHARD, whose cornet sol
was heard with such delight at the exer
cises Wednesday morning, is a pupil G
Goddard and the very best cornetist il
central Vermont. Much of his excellenc
in this direction is due to a course of in
struction under Mr.. T.. NJ. Bagley, the cele
brated soloist of the Boston Symphony On
chestra, who died in Europe some month
since.
PROFESSOR ALsToN w. DANA, for fou
years past principal of the Seminary, close
his connection with the school on Wednes
day. He has filled the position with marke
energy, fidelity and success, and his depar
ure is sincerely regretted 1t is understoo
TO be his purpose to make a trip to Europ
this summer. On his return he will prol
ably make his home in Washington, ID. G
and enter the Columbia Law School.
THE Starr scholarship, established by til
Hon. Farley Starr of Brattleboro, to /
awarded to member of the senior class !
the English course, was taken by Albert
Wheelock of Barre, and the Janette Shipma
scholarship, established by Professor viii
lam r. Shipman of College HILL Mass,